WHERE did the coffee come from?

From Ethiopian Forests to Your Coffee Cup: A Journey Through Time

Coffee. That magical elixir that jumpstarts our mornings and fuels our afternoons. But have you ever stopped to wonder where those beans in your grinder actually come from? The story of coffee is a fascinating one, full of legend, trade, and global conquest. So, brew yourself a cup and settle in as we explore the origins and journey of coffee across the world.

The Ethiopian Legend:

Our story begins in Ethiopia, where legend has it that a goat herder named Kaldi first discovered the energizing effects of coffee berries around 850 AD. Noticing his goats becoming particularly lively after nibbling on the bright red berries of a certain shrub, Kaldi decided to try them himself. He experienced a similar burst of energy and shared his discovery with local monks. Initially skeptical, the monks threw the berries into a fire, only to be greeted by the enticing aroma of roasting coffee. Intrigued, they raked the beans from the embers, ground them up, and dissolved them in hot water, creating the world's first cup of coffee.

From Monastery to Metropolis:

While the Kaldi legend is charming, the earliest credible evidence of coffee drinking points to Sufi monasteries in Yemen during the 15th century. Coffee was used to stay awake during religious ceremonies and quickly spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula. Coffee houses, known as "qahveh khaneh," sprang up in major cities like Mecca and Cairo, becoming centers of social interaction and intellectual discourse.

Coffee Conquers the World:

Despite attempts to ban coffee due to its stimulating effects, its popularity surged. European travelers brought coffee back from their Middle Eastern voyages in the 17th century, and it quickly caught on. Coffee houses, modeled after those in the Middle East, appeared in European cities like London and Paris, becoming hubs for artists, writers, and businessmen.

Colonialism and the Coffee Trade:

European colonial powers played a significant role in spreading coffee cultivation around the world. The Dutch established coffee plantations in Indonesia, the French in Vietnam, and the Spanish in Latin America. This colonial enterprise, while often exploitative, led to the development of vast coffee-producing regions that continue to supply much of the world's coffee today.

Coffee in the Modern World:

Today, coffee is one of the most valuable commodities in the world, enjoyed by billions of people daily. From its humble beginnings in the Ethiopian highlands, coffee has traveled across continents, fueled revolutions, and inspired countless artists and thinkers. So, the next time you savor that perfect cup, take a moment to appreciate the rich history and incredible journey behind those beans.

If you fancy diving deeper into coffee's early life, the following resources are wonderful. 

• The World Atlas of Coffee: by James Hoffmann (A comprehensive guide to coffee origins, varieties, and brewing methods)
• Uncommon Grounds: by Mark Pendergrast (A deep dive into the history of coffee and its impact on the world)

Happy caffeinating! Or decaffeinating!